Dispensing apparatus



H. P. FOLKER DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1937 Aug. 15, 1939.

ATTORNEY.

m M m I o Eh WF p 1 X W J x R m m m I A m\ %N A RM ga NQ Patented Aug.15, 1939 ai -saris UNITED STATES PATENT entree DISPENSING APPARATUSHerbert P. Folker, Oakland, Calif., assignor to National SafetyAppliance Co. Ltd, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of CaliforniaApplication September 27, 1937, Serial No. 165,921

11 Claims. (01. 225-2) This invention relates generally to apparatus butthe type illustrated is used comparatively unifor use in dispensingvarious liquids, and particuversally. It includes a sleeve portion l3,provided larly carbonated beverages such as beer. with the flanges 4.The ends of these flanges are It is conventional practice to store andtransseparated by the slots l6. 5 port beer and like carbonatedbeverages in kegs My apparatus makes use of a fitting designated 5 orlike containers, provided with couplers to which generally at H, whichcan be quickly attached dispensing apparatus can be attached. The coutothe coupler The particular type of fitting pler has an opening, which isnormally closed illustrated consists of an inner body l8, loosely by acork, and in applying the dispensing apsurrounded by an outer sleeve 53.One sideof paratus provision is made to dislodge the cork, the body l8connects with a pipe 2| leading to the 10 whereby the liquid is causedto flow by gas presdispensing faucet 22.

sure to an external faucet. One end face 23 of the body l 8, is adaptedto be The present invention is an improvement in apsealed with respectto the opposed end face 24 paratus of the above character. Itincorporates on coupler H, by means of the intervening rea fitting whichcan be readily attached to a keg silient washer 2B. The correspondingend porcoupler, and which during a dispensing period is tion of thesleeve 9 is provided with inturned lugs at the lower end of the keg,whereby the beer 21, adapted to engage the flanges i l of the couor likeliquid flows downwardly through the fitpler. The opening 01' passage 28in body I8, diting. More particularly it is an object of the rectlycommunicates with and is aligned with present invention to provideapparatus of this the opening |2 of the coupler, and also communi- .20type, which can be more conveniently applied to cates with pipe 2|,through the side extension 23. a keg of beer by an operator, withoutrelease Extending through the passage 23 in the fitting, of the gasnaturally existing within the keg. there is a pipe 3| which serves toconduct gas Another object of the invention is to provide under pressureinto the keg. The upper end of 25 dispensing apparatus of the abovecharacter, pipe 3| is shown provided with the gas ports 32, 25 whichafter being applied to a keg, can be posiand a small check valve 33. Therepresentative tioned together with the keg in final dispensing type ofcheck valve illustrated consists of a disc position, with connections toan external source 34,bearing upon the annular seat 33. When presof gasunder pressure. sure is applied to the pipe 3! in excess of the Anotherobject of the invention is to provide pressure existing within the keg,then differential 30 a novel form of fitting which can be readily atgasp-resure opens the check 33. However, when tac-hed to the coupler, andin which all of the the pressure within the pipe 3| is less than thenecessary liquid-tight seals can be established p es e Within the e theValve member 34 s by turning a single member. closed upon its seat andwill not permit the 35 Further objects of .the invention will appearescapement of gases from within the keg out 35 from the followingdescription in which the prethrough the pipe 3|.

ferred embodiment of the invention has been set Attached to the lowerand outer end of the pipe forth in detail in conjunction with the accom-3|, there is a sleeve 37, which in turn is provided panying drawing.with a knurled engaging portion 38. The lower 40 Referring to thedrawing: end of the fitting body is provided with a counter 40 Fig. 1 isa side elevational View, in cross section, bore 39, which slidablyaccommodates a follower illustrating apparatus incorporating the present4|. Suitable means prevents rotation of the folinvention, applied to abeer keg and in final dislower 4| with respect to the fit a for pensingposition. ample the follower can be provided with a stud '32,

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional detail, taken along engaging within a slot43 formed in the body is. 45 the line 22 of Fig. 1. The follower is alsoprovided with an annular Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail taken alongflange 44, and this flange is engaged by a flange the line 33 of Fig. 1.46, formed on a nut 41. Nut 47 has threaded en- In the drawing I haveshown portions of a, gagement with the adjacent end of the sleeve i9.

beer keg l 0, which in this instanceisoi the metal The inner end face 48of the follower H, is 50 type. On one end of the keg there is a metalshown engaging one side of a resilient sealing coupler H, and thiscoupler has a central openwasher '49. The upper side of this washer ising l2. Assuch kegs are delivered from abrewery, adapted to seal againstthe opposed annular opening I2 is sealed by a cork or like removableshoulder 5|, formed within the body it. Washer closure. The coupler Ilmay vary as to details, 49 can be made of resilient vulcanized rubber,55

26 can be made of similar material. Sleeve 31 has detachable threadedengagement 52, with the follower 4|, whereby an operator by turning theknurled portion 38, can detach pipe 3| from the remainder of theassembly. The inner end of this sleeve may also have sealing engagementwith washer 49. I

Portions of additional equipment used with the apparatus describedabove, have also been illustrated. Thus the dispensing pipe 2| is shownextending through the front wall 55, of a compartment which if desiredcan be refrigerated.

Extending upwardly through the bottom wall 58, of this compartment,there is a fitting 59, connected with a source of gas under pressure,such as carbon dioxide. The upper end 6| of the fitting 59 isaccommodated Within an opening 62 formed in the sleeve 31, and a gasket63 forms a sealed gas-tight engagement between these parts. A suitabletype of check valve is provided within the fitting 59, which is openedby depression of the valve stem 54. With the fitting occupying aposition within the sleeve 31, as shown in Fig. 1, valve stem 64 isdepressed by the pin 66, which, is carried by the apertured disc 51.Instead of providing a. compartment for housing the keg, any suitablesupporting means can be used to carry the keg and associated parts inthe position shown.

Use of the apparatus described above can be outlined as follows:Aspreviously pointed out the type of keg to which the apparatus can beapplied, normally has the opening l2: of the coupler closed by means ofa cork. The operator takes the fitting l1 and first loosens the nut 41.Lugs 21 are then, engaged with the coupler, by first causing these lugsto pass through slots l6, and then by turning the fitting with respectto the coupler until the lugs 21 properly engage over the flanges M, inthe manner illustrated in Fig. 1. Nut 41 is then tightened to applyclamping force upon the sealing washers 26 and 49. Up to this time thepipe 3| has been detached with respect to the fitting. The operator nowtakes this pipe and forces it through the fitting H. The openingprovided in sealing washer 49 is normally slightly smaller than theexternal diameter of the pipe, so that the fit of the pipe within thewasher is sufficiently tight to form a seal. When the inner end of thepipe engages the cork in the coupler sufiicient force is applied todislodge the cork, whereby the pipe can then be moved to the finaloperating position illustrated in Fig. 1. Assuming now that the operatorhas engaged the threaded connection 52, the keg is positioned within therefrigerator compartment or like auxiliary equipment, to effect anengagement-with the fitting 59, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of thepipe 3! is now at the upper end of the keg, whereby gas pressureintroduced through the pipe from the fitting 59, enters the space abovethe liquid and thereby displaces the liquid downwardly. It will be seenthat if faucet 22 is opened the liquid flows downwardly through openingl2, about the pipe 3|, and thence through pipe 2|, to the faucet.

It will be evident from the foregoing that my apparatus can be readilyapplied to kegs and like liquid containers, without danger of permittingescape of gas. As the pipe 3| is thrust into the keg, the check valve 33is closed and therefore there is no danger of gas escaping from thebeer, even though at this time the exterior end of the pipe is notconnected to a source of gas under pressure. When the apparatus is inthe final operating position shown in Fig. 1, the'check valve may beoccasionally utilized, to prevent back flow of gas, in the event offailure of the gas supply attached to fitting 59.

I claim:

1. In dispensing apparatus for use with I a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler having a dischargeopening therein, a fitting adapted to be detachably connected to andmounted on said coupler, a liquid discharge pipe communicating with thefitting, the fitting being provided with a passage aligned withsaidopening, a pipe adapted to be removably disposed within said passagewith one end portion of the pipe extending through said opening into thecontainer, the outer end of the pipe being adapted for connection with asource of gas under pressure, and a check valve carried by the inner endof said pipe, said check valve closing against pressure within thecontainer;

and being opened by gas pressure applied to said pipe.

2. In dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being ofthe type having one wall of the same provided with acoupler, the coupler having a discharge opening, a fitting adapted to bedetachably connected to and mounted on said coupler, a liquid dischargepipe communicating with the fitting, the fitting being provided with apassage aligned with said opening, a pipe adapted to be disposed withinsaid passage, with one portion of the pipe extending through saidopening into the container, the outer end of the pipe being adapted forconnection with a source of gas under pressure, exterior of the fitting,means for effecting a seal between said fitting and said pipe, said sealpermit-ting longitudinal sliding movement of the pipe through thefitting, and a check valve carried by the'inner end of said pipe, saidcheck valve closing against pressure within the container but beingopened by gas pressure applied to said pipe.

3. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type proinded with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to be detachably connected to andmounted on said coupler, a liquid discharge pipe communicating with saidfitting, the fitting being provided with a passage aligned with theaforementioned opening, a pipe adapted to be disposed within saidpassage, with a portion of the pipe extending through the aforementionedopening into the container, the outer end of the pipe being adapted forconnection with a source of gas under pressure, means forming a sealbetween the fitting and said coupler, means forming a seal between thepipe and said fitting, and common means for applying clamping forces toboth said sealing means.

4. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with acoupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to be detachably connected to andmounted on said coupler, a liquid discharge pipe communicating with saidfitting, the fitting being provided with a. passage aligned with theaforementioned opening, a pipe adapted to be disposed within saidpassage, with a portion of the pipe extending through the aforementionedopening into the container, the outer end of the pipe being adapted forconnection with a source of gas under pressure, means forming a sealbetween the fitting and said coupier, means forming a seal between thepipe and said fitting and means including a nut concentric with saidpipe and threaded upon the fitting, for applying clamping forces to theseal between the fitting and the coupler.

5. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to have detachable connection with saidcoupler, a liquid discharge pipe connected to said fitting, and meansfor establishing connection between said fitting and a source of gasunder pressure, said last means including a second fitting connected toa source of gas under pressure, a check valve in said second fitting,means for making sealing engagement between said fittings, and meanscarried by the first fitting for opening said check valve as saidfittings are brought into sealing engagement.

6. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to have detachable connection with saidcoupler, a liquid discharge pipe connected to said fitting, and meansfor establishing connection between said fitting and a source of gasunder pressure, said last means including a second fitting connected toa source of gas under pressure, the first fitting having a socket toreceive the second fitting, a check valve in the second fitting, meansforming sealed engagement between the fittings as the same are urgedinto physical engagement, and means carried by the first fitting foropening said check valve as said fittings are urged into physicalengagement.

'7. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to be detachably mounted upon thecoupler and having means for establishing sealing contact with the outerface of the coupler, a liquid discharge pipe connected to the fitting,the fitting having a passage therethrough in alignment with saidopening, and an elongated member adapted to be thrust through saidpassage to dislodge a closure in said opening.

8. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided. with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to be detachably mounted upon thecoupler, means carried by the fitting for establishing sealing contactwith the outer face of the coupler, a liquid discharge pipe connected tothe fitting, the fitting having a passage therethrough in alignment withsaid opening, an elongated member adapted to be thrust through thepassage in the fitting to dislodge a closure in said opening, meansforming a seal between the fitting and said member, said member being soproportioned that when it extends through said opening, liquid from thecontainer may fiow into the fitting through the opening and about saidmember.

9. In a dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to be mounted and have detachableconnection with said coupler, a liquid discharge pipe connected to saidfitting, and means for establishing connection between said fitting anda source of gas under pressure, said least means including a secondfitting connected to a source of gas under pressure, a check valve insaid second fitting, means for making sealing engagement between saidfittings, and means for automatically opening said check valve as saidfittings are brought into sealing engagement.

1.0. In a dispensing .apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler having an openingtherethrough, a fitting adapted to be detachably mounted upon saidcoupler, means carried by said fitting for making sealing engagementwith the outer face of said coupler, a liquid discharge pipe connectedto said fitting, and means for establishing connection between saidfitting and a source of gas under pressure, said last means including asecond fitting connected to a source of gas under pressure, acheck valvein said second fitting, means including a gasket surrounding the secondfitting for making sealing engagement between said fittings, and meansfor, automatically opening said check valve as said fittings are broughtinto sealing engagement.

11. In dispensing apparatus for use with a liquid container, thecontainer being of the type provided with a coupler at its one endhaving a discharge opening therethrough, a fitting adapted to bedetachably connected to said coupler, a liquid discharge pipecommunicating with the fitting, the fitting being provided with apassage which is aligned with said opening, and a pipe adapted to bedisposed within said passage, with one portion of the pipe extendingthrough said opening into the container, the outer end of the pipe beingadapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, said pipebeing of such length that its inner end terminates near the opposite endWall of the container.

HERBERT P. FOLKER.

